Board chief: All options, including new leadership, on table for Grand Rapids schools

Rex Larsen | The Grand Rapids PressGrand Rapids school board President Senita Lenear and Superintendent Bernard Taylor discuss the district's leadership future. The news conference was held after Cleveland school opted not to hire Taylor as their next leader.

GRAND RAPIDS – Superintendent Bernard Taylor said an upcoming school board meeting will determine their future together, while the board president today did not rule out 'new leadership' among options that must be discussed.

Cleveland schools today opted for an internal candidate rather than Taylor and two other finalists to be CEO. This was the second job opportunity he has pursued this year. He was one of two finalists to run Syracuse schools.

“The other districts have been far more aggressive about reforms,” Taylor said during a press conference today with Board President Senita Lenear. “I have articulated to the Board of Education that my concern is that the district remain resolute with an aggressive stance towards reform.”

Taylor, in his fifth year, said he will be bringing ideas to the board about moving forward in that direction and have a conversation whether that view of “what our work should be is consistent with the direction the board wants to go in.”

On Monday, Lenear said the board will discuss their relation with Taylor and his future with the district. She said the community and staff deserve a clear picture of the future.

“We have to talk about every single possibility,” said Lenear, who said that includes new leadership.

Taylor, who released a statement this morning after he was passed over by Cleveland, said he does not think the Syracuse or Cleveland inquiries diminish his ability to lead effectively.

“I've never loss my focus,” he said. “My focus is on the children.”

Taylor, asked about pursuing other opportunities, said he can't predict the future.